1000 Lakes Swimrun

Hard Fought Challenge At Inaugural OTILLO Swimrun 1000 Lakes

Press Release / 23.10.2016

ÖTILLÖ Swimrun 1000 Lakes is held at the Mecklenburge Seenplatte, an area with over 1000 lakes and dense mystical forests, a fairy tale landscape with great running trails and a perfect location for a swimrun event.

The cold temperatures were the biggest challenges at this first edition of ÖTILLÖ Swimrun 1000 Lakes. The fast running on the magical forest trails was not enough to warm up the competitors between the swims, as the air was cold and some of the lakes were not more than 10 degrees. The organisers redesigned the course during the day to have one less long swim to tackle in the cold weather. However, among the 150 competing teams of two from 21 different nations, some had a hard time handling the low temperatures and abandoned.

The overall winners, Swedes Pontus Lindberg and George Bjälkemo, were keeping a fast pace throughout the course staying in front for a big part of the day, closely chased by a good number of teams in the top group. “Our game plan was to get a gap on the runs, where we knew that we could accelerate. It was hard as our legs were so stiff from the cold but we managed!”, said a happy Bjälkemo at the finish.

The first mixed team, Jasmina Glad-Schreven and Thomas Schreven of Finland, were always up there battling with the top group and completed a fantastic race finishing second overall, only five minutes after the leaders!

The first German team, Knut Baadshaug and Sebastian Kreder, spread the local pride by taking third in the men’s category.

”It was cold and long and tough. The swimming went well for us, the biggest problem today was the cold air”, said Knut Baadshaug. His partner Sebastian Kreder added: ”If we weren’t working so well as a team, we would never have been able to reach the finish today. We are quite equal, and the team has to fit well together for a challenge like this. It was a great race!”

Eight top teams at ÖTILLÖ Swimrun 1000 Lakes qualify to the ÖTILLÖ Swimrun World Championship 2017, on 4 September 2017 in the Stockholm Archipelago; top 3 men, top 3 mixed, top 2 women.